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In a striking display of political inconsistency, Reno Omokri, a Nigerian author and former aide to President Goodluck Jonathan, has come under fire for meeting and seemingly endorsing Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the current Nigerian president, whom Omokri previously branded a “drug lord.” The controversy, ignited by a viral X post from Malcolm Omirhobo on May 31, 2025, has reignited debates about political integrity and hypocrisy in Nigeria’s public sphere.
The X post, which includes an image of Omokri shaking hands with Tinubu, shows the two men dressed in traditional attire, smiling warmly in what appears to be a formal setting. Omirhobo’s caption is scathing: “0mirhobo to Reno Omokri: Baba Sola, for meeting with and endorsing a man you called a drug Lord, I make bold to tell you that you are a disgrace to fatherhood. I am just imagining how your children view you over your inconsistency and lies.” The post quickly gained traction, amassing replies that echo Omirhobo’s sentiment, with users like @MartinsEsq1 labeling Omokri as “the most useless person in Nigeria now” and a “disgrace to fatherhood.”
Omokri’s history with Tinubu is well-documented. In 2022, during Tinubu’s presidential campaign, Omokri led protests at Chatham House in London, where Tinubu was speaking. Armed with a megaphone and placards, Omokri and his group chanted slogans like “Tinubu Ole” (Tinubu is a thief) and displayed signs reading “No To a Drug Baron in Aso Rock” and “Nigerians Reject Bola Escobar And His Heroin Cartel.” These protests, reported by outlets like The ICIR, were in response to long-standing allegations of Tinubu’s involvement in drug trafficking in the 1990s—claims that have followed the politician for decades but have never been conclusively proven in court. A 2022 LinkedIn post by Omokri titled “Tinubu is a Known Drug Lord: My Response To Tinubu’s Spokesman” further solidified his stance at the time, where he doubled down on the accusations.
Fast forward to 2025, and the image of Omokri shaking hands with Tinubu paints a starkly different picture. The apparent reconciliation has left many Nigerians, including Omokri’s followers, questioning his principles. Omokri, a self-proclaimed advocate for social justice and moral values, has often positioned himself as a voice of reason in Nigerian politics. His Wikipedia page notes his role as a conservative calling for a “restoration of the moral fabric of society.” Yet, this recent move has led to accusations of hypocrisy, with critics arguing that Omokri’s actions undermine his credibility.
The replies to Omirhobo’s post reflect the public’s frustration. @OnunakuDr commented, “Zero integrity!!!” while @CaptainJae added, “One time, rated this guy so high @renoomokri. In reality, you can’t keep him as a friend. Today, he’s with you, tomorrow he’s championing a fight against.” Others, like @Nairaexchanger, mocked Omokri with the term “renolution,” implying a pattern of opportunistic behavior. However, not all responses condemned Omokri. @StephenBawa01 defended him, questioning, “So Malcolm in your twisted world, no one is allowed to change their mind and their views in light of better information being provided? What kind of fascist are you?”
The allegations against Tinubu, which Omokri once championed, stem from a 1990s U.S. case where Tinubu forfeited $460,000 linked to accounts suspected of being tied to drug trafficking proceeds. While no criminal charges were filed against Tinubu, the incident has been a persistent stain on his political career, as noted in a 2022 Vanguard News article that called for clarity on whether Tinubu was “an innocent man getting a bad rap” or “a danger to Nigeria and its democracy.” Omokri’s earlier protests capitalized on this ambiguity, making his recent meeting with Tinubu all the more jarring.
Omokri’s political journey has been marked by contradictions. A vocal supporter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a critic of the All Progressives Congress (APC)—Tinubu’s party—Omokri has also faced legal battles, such as a 2025 court ruling that vacated a remand order against him by Pastor Paul Enenche, whom Omokri accused of partisan politics during the 2023 elections. Additionally, Omokri has a history of refuting personal allegations, such as a 2021 claim by Natasha Akpoti that he propositioned her, which he countered with a $50,000 reward for proof of his presence at the alleged event.
The hypocrisy angle isn’t just about Omokri’s shift on Tinubu. It’s also about the broader narrative of Nigerian politics, where allegiances often shift based on convenience rather than principle. As @tajudine2013gm2 replied to Omirhobo’s post, “The political campaign has nothing to do with facts.” This sentiment underscores a deeper frustration among Nigerians who feel that leaders like Omokri, once seen as moral compasses, are just as susceptible to the transactional nature of politics as anyone else.
As of June 2, 2025, Omokri has not publicly responded to the backlash. The image of him with Tinubu, however, continues to circulate, fueling discussions about whether this is a genuine change of heart or a calculated move in Nigeria’s ever-shifting political landscape. For now, the court of public opinion has delivered its verdict: Omokri’s actions smack of hypocrisy, and the “drug lord” allegations against Tinubu remain a potent weapon for critics on both sides.
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